Last Friday TSMC announced that their next-gen 3nm processors is going into volume production in H2 2022.  Their 3NE,  a 3nm Enhanced version of the chip will introduce their  revolutionary FinFlex Architecture. TSMC stated that their 3nm processors would be going into volume production in H2 2022.

While we’d like to think that this will translate into powering the iPhone 14, MacRumors, citing an April DigiTimes report, claimed that it will be the iPhone 15 that will be powered by the new 3nm processor. Then again, TSMC’s chip update announcements made last week, hinted otherwise.  

If TSMC’s 3nm processors don’t make to market until 2023, then Samsung could be first to introduce a 3nm processor in their next-gen Galaxy smartphones. Yesterday, Samsung announced that they’ll begin mass production of their 3nm processors based on the new gate all round (GAA) transistor structure next week.

According to Business Korea, “GAA is a new technology that improves performance while reducing chip size and power consumption compared to the conventional fin field-effect transistor (FinFET) technology.

Analysts say that if Samsung Electronics starts mass production of 3-nm chips, it will be able to show corporate customers that it is ahead of TSMC in technology, thus strengthening its position in the foundry market. Samsung is determined to undermine TSMC’s foundry market dominance with its advanced ultra-micro fabrication technology.”

Samsung “believes that mass production of 3-nm chips will provide it with strong momentum to attain its goal of becoming the world’s top player in the field of system semiconductors.”

If TSMC delivers their next-gen 3nm processors in time for the iPhone 14, then Samsung having a slight lead ahead of TSMC really won’t matter. However, if Apple can’t take advantage of 3nm chips for the iPhone 14, then Samsung will have bragging rights for their next-gen Galaxy smartphones as well as other Android phones adopting Samsung's 3nm chips. Of course, only time will tell if Samsung’s 3nm chip will actually deliver clear advantages that matter.

For more, read the full Business Korea report.